Dispenser with selectively repeating cycle mechanism



y 1964 s. H. A. SCHMAUS 3,133,674

DISPENSER WITH SELECTIVELY REPEATING CYCLE MECHANISM Filed Sept. 8, 19606 Sheets-Sheet 1 r I: N

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DISPENSER WITH SELECTIVELY REPEAT ING CYCLE MECHANISM Filed Sept. 8,1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 muml I w w "ulmmlu Hmm.

"1 9.2 SIEGFRJED H.A."5CHMAUS BY WW 9 241 ATTORNE 5 M y 1964 s. H. A.SCHMAUS DISPENSER WITH SELECTIVELY REPEATING CYCLE MECHANISM 6Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 8, 1960 'mlllllh INVENTOR s l E6 FRIED H.A.ECHMAUS BY Wm 3 ATTORNEY S. H. A. SCHMAUS Filed Sept. 8, 1960 IIIIHHh 6Sheets-Sheet 4 mnummg m I I I llllumlu INVENTOR SIEGFRIED H.A.SCHMAV5 BYZRm ATT M y 1964 s. H. A. SCHMAUS DISPENSER WITH SELECTIVELY REPEATINGCYCLE MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 8, 1960 Q N 3" L0 EINVENTOR SIEGFRED ILA .$CHMAU ATTOZQZ S. H. A. SCHMAUS 7 May 19, 1964DISPENSER WITH SELECTIVELY REPEATING CYCLE MECHANISM Filed Sept. 8, 19606 Sheets-Sheet 6 Tic IO INVENTOR SHE'GFRI so HASCHMAUS BY Wm; M

ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,133,674 DISPENSER WlTH SELECTIVELYREPEATING CYCLE MECHANISM Siegfried H. A. Schmaus, Philadelphia, Pa.,assignor to Arnetek, Inc., a corporation oi Delaware Filed Sept. 8,1960, Ser. No. 54 ,734 7 Claims. ((31. 222-70) The present inventionrelates 'to cocktail dispensers, and particularly to a new and improvedcocktail dispenser for automatically dispensing one or more mixed drinksin succession.

An object of the invention is to provide a cocktail dispenser fordispensing one or more mixed drinks in succession.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a dispenser inwhich'the mixed drinks may have different quantities of each of aplurality of liquids.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a cocktaildispenser in which timing mechanism is provided for ensuring thedispensing of predetermined quantities of a plurality of liquids to formthe desired drink.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a dispenser in whicha drip cap may be provided adjacent the dispensing spout that isautomatically opened at the beginning and closed at the end of adispensing operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a dispenserhaving a hinged cover portion that encloses the operating mechanism ofthe dispenser and in which locking means is provided for preventing theunauthorized tampering with such operating mechanism.

In one aspect of the invention, a base having a standard thereon maysupport a plurality of bottles of liquid to be dispensed as a mixture.The bottles may be supported in inverted position at the top of tubularmembers, the bottom of which open into measuring cups. The cups may bereadily changed so that diderent measured quantities may be employed inthe ultimately mixed drink. Theremay be a reciprocable plunger withineach measuring cup having a closure member at each end thereof andarranged such that in the lower position of the plunger, the measuringcup is open to the interior of the inverted bottle with the cup outletclosed; and, in the upper position of the plunger, the interior of thebottle is closed to the cup while the outlet from the cup is opened.

in another aspect of the invention, the outlets from the measuring cupsmay be connected to a common dispensing spout beneath which the glass toreceive the drink may be placed. A drip cap may be hinged to thedispensing spout, and it may be automatically opened at the beginningand closed at the end of each dispensing operation.

in still another aspect of the invention, an electro mechanical controlmay be provided for automatically controlling the dispensing of aplurality of mixed drinks in succession while ensuring ample timebetween each for complete emptying of the measuring cups and thereplacement of a full glass with an empty glass to receive the nextsucceeding drink of a succession of drinks being dispensed.

The above, other objects and novel features of the invention will becomeapparent from the following specification and accompanying drawingswhich are merely exemplary.

in the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial elevational view of a dispenser to which theprinciples of the invention have been applied;

FIG. 2 is a side, partial sectional elevational view of Patented May 19,1964 a dispenser to which the principles of the invention have beenapplied;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevational view of part of themechanism shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken substantially along lines 4-4 of FIGS 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of linkage for operating the drip cap;

FIG. 5a is a view taken substantially along line 5a5a of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an electrical wiring diagram of the control for the dispenser;

FIG. 7 is a detail of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing a portion of the lockingmechanism;

PEG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FlG. 1D is a view taken substantially along line 10-40 of HQ. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of the locking mechanism shownin FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along line l2l2 of FIG.11; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along line l3l3 of 8.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, theprinciples of the invention are shown as applied to a dispenserincluding a base 1% having a hollow standard lit extending upwardlytherefrom. The stand ard 1?. may include near its upper end a separatehousing 13 enclosing mechanism for dispensing liquids from invertedbottles 14. The mechanism within each housing 113 may include avertically reciprocable plunger having valve seats at each end, andarranged so that in the lower position of the plunger, the outlet 15from a measuring or dispensing cup 16 is closed and the measuring cup 15is open to the interior of its corresponding bottle 14. And, when theplunger is in its upper position, the interior of bottle 14 is closed tocup 16, while the outlet 15 of cup 16 is open to a conduit 17 leading toa dispensing nozzle 18. The operation of the plunger may be eiiected bythe operation of a pivoted lever 19 (FIG. 2). The specific details ofthe above described mechanism form no part per se of the presentinvention. They maybe similar to: the dispensing mechanism shown, described and claimed in application Serial No. 828,169, filed July 20,1959, in the name of Siegfried H. A. Schmaus, now Patent No. 3,080,097.

From the foregoing it is evident that a plurality of bottles of variousliquids may be supported by the standand 11 and that upon thesimultaneous actuation of the pivoted levers 19 for each dispensingmechanism within housings 13*, predetermined quantities of liquid fromeach bottle 14 will pass through the nozzle 18 into a glass or otherreceptacle 2% for receiving the mixture. The measuring glasses 16 arereadily changeable and, therefore, predetermined size glasses may beemployed to vary at will the ratio of liquids dispensed to prepare thedesired mixture within the receptacle 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, the dispensing lever 19 for one of the dispensingmechanisms may be pivotally connected to a link 21 that in turn ispivoted to the core 22 of a solenoid 23. Spring means 23 (FIG. 5a)between a stationary bracket 23" within standard 11 and the armature 22urges the armature upwardly when the solenoid 23 is de-energized. Asleeve 24 may be connected to the lower end of the core 22, and it mayreceive a guide pin 25 (FIG. 3) that is rigidly fixed to the top wall ofa housing 26 within the hollow standard 11. An arm 27 fixed to sleeve 24may be provided with a bifurcated end 28, between the legs of which oneleg 29 of a wire spring 30 (FIG. 4) may be supported. The other leg 31of spring 30 is attached to the arm 27.

A vertically reciprocable shaft 32 may be mounted in slide bearings 33and 34 (FIGS. 3 and 4) within the top and bottom walls of the housing26. Spring means 35 may be fixed between the top wall of housing 26 andpin 36 attached to shaft 32 at a location normally causing spring 35 tourge shaft 32 upwardly. Ratchet teeth 37 may be formed at the upper endof shaft 32, and the leg 29 of spring 30 normally rests within one ofsaid teeth. An additional spring 38 having its one end anchored to thetop of housing 26, may include a leg 39 that also normally engages theteeth 37. From the foregoing it is evident that the above describedstructure produces a pawl and ratchet device, which upon eachenergization of the solenoid 23 causes the spring leg 29 to drive theshaft 32 downwardly against the action of spring 35; and, leg 39 ofspring 38 retains the shaft 32 in each of its vertical positions when,upon deenergizing of solenoid 23, the arm 27 and spring 30 return totheir upper normal positions.

In order to energize the solenoid 23 for one cycle of operations, a pushbutton 40 may be mounted in the front wall of housing 26 and extendthrough an aperture in the one wall of standard 11. Other push buttons41 and 42 may be mounted in housing 26 similarly to the mounting ofbutton 40. The shafts 43 of all of the push buttons may include arms 44for actuating switches 45, 46 and 47 sold under the trademarkMicroswitch. Each of the shafts 43 for the buttons 40, 41 and 42 mayinclude a pin (FIG. 3) that rides within a slot 49 within a sleeve 50through which shafts 43 slidingly extend. 'Ilhis arrangement preventsturning of theshafts 43 and consequently maintains the arms 44 thereofin line with the actuators for their corresponding switches 45, 46 and47.

The switch 45 is different from switches 46 and 47 in that the lattertwo are locking switches, whereas switch 45 is not. Accordingly,switches 46 and 47 include additional actuators that are covered by leafsprings 51. A set screw dog 52 is mounted on shaft 32 in position suchthat when shaft 32 is lowered from its uppermost position by twosuccessive energizations of solenoid 23, switch 46 if closed by pushbutton 41 will be opened by dog 52. Another dog 53 may be located onshaft 32 in such position that when shaft 32 is lowered from itsuppermost position by three successive energizations of solenoid 23,switch 47 if closed by push button 42 will be opened by dog 53.

In order to ensure that shaft 32 is always at its uppermost positionwhen any of the buttons 40, 41 or 42 is pushed, each shaft 43 extends inparallel spaced relation through housing 26 and abuts against a plate 54(FIGS. 2 and 4) that is pivoted along an axis 55 within the top andbottom walls of the housing 26. Shafts 43 abut plate 54 at points withina plane offset from the axis 55 so that pushing any button 40, 41, or42, will cause plate 54 to pivot about axis 55.

The plate 54 may include an upwardly extending arm 56 that may lie incontact with the legs 29 and 39 of springs 30 and 38. Accordingly,pushing any button 40, 41 or 42 will pivot plate 54, thereby forcinglegs 29 and 39 away from teeth 37, and spring 35 then raises shaft 32 toits uppermost position. Release of buttons 40, 41 and 42 permits thelegs 29 and 39 to return to engagement with teeth 37.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, a drip cap 57 is attached to one leg 58 of aU-shaped lever 59 that is mounted on a stationary pin 60 for pivotalmovement. The pin 60 may extend outwardly from the line 17 leading tothe outlet of the dispensing nozzle 18. A roller 61 may be journaled ona pin fixed to the leg of lever 59 opposite that supporting drip cap 57;and, a spring 62 between pin 60 and lever 59 urges the drip cap 57 intocooperation with the outlet of nozzle 18.

A link 63 (FIGS. and 5a) may be pivotally mounted within the hollowstandard 1 1. An armature 64 of a solenoid 65 may have a pin 63'attached to it which may contact link 63 when the armature 64 movesdown- Wardly upon energizing of the solenoid 65. The armature 64 isurged upwardly by spring means 64 between it and a stationary bracket64". The opposite end of armature 64 is pivotally connected to a link 66that is in turn connected to a link 19 of another dispensing mechanismfor another bottle 14 of liquid. The free end of link 63 is providedwith a pin 67 (FIG. 5) that rides in an elongated slot 68 in a link 69that is fixed to one end of a shaft 70 that is journaled in a bearing 71in a bracket within standard 11. Near the opposite end of shaft 70, abar 72 may be fixed which may include a portion 73 that cooperates withthe roller 61.

A dashpot means 74 may include a piston 75 that is connected to the link63, and a cylinder 76 containing silicone fluid. The cylinder 76 may bestationarily mounted on a bracket 77 within standard 11. Theconstruction and arrangement of the parts are such that upon energizingthe solenoid 65, the link 63 turns clockwise, causing links 69 andportion 73 of bar 72 to turn counterclockwise (FIG. 5) to thereby removedn'p cap 57 from the outlet of dispensing nozzle 18. Upon de-energizingof solenoid 65, spring means 64 raises armature 64, causing cap 57 tomove clockwise about pivot 60 to close nozzle 18. The dashpot 76 retardsthis movement so that the cap 57 closes nozzle 18 slowly, therebyeliminating splashing of drops of liquid that may still be issuing fromnozzle 18.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, when it is desired to start a period withinwhich the apparatus is eifective, a key may be inserted within a lock79' (FIG. 9) and turned. Turning the key within lock 79' effects theclosing of a normally open switch 79 (FIG. 6). Pushing button 40 causescurrent to flow from L through the number 1 terminal of a terminal block80, thence through a line 81, a normally open contact 82 that is closedby a cam 83 driven by a reversing motor 84, thence through a line 85,the number 7 terminal of block 80, a line 86, thence through closedcontact 40, a line 87, the number 8 terminal of block 80, a line 87,coil 88 of a relay 89, a line 90, closed contact 79, a line 91, thenumber 3 terminal of block 80, the number 2 terminal of block 80, thenceto L Coil 88 is thereby energized, closing contacts 92, 93 and 94 ofrelay 89.

Closing contact 94 holds coil 88 energized when the push button 40 isreleased. As previously explained, push button 40 is a releasableswitch, whereas push buttons 41 and 42 are locking switches. The holdingcircuit for coil 88 extends from L through line 91, switch 79, line 90,coil 88, contact 94, a line 95, a normally closed contact 96, a line 97,line 81 to L Current also flows from L through line 91, contact 79, aline 98, the number 4 terminal of block 80, a line 99, motor 84, a line100, contact 93, line 81 to L Motor 84 is of the synchronous type oflimited torque which when energized will rotate in the direction it ispermitted. And, when this limited torque is exceeded, the rotation ofthe motor will reverse. Accordingly, cam 83 rotates in a clockwisedirection, allowing switch 82 to move to its upper position under theinfluence of spring means therein.

Simultaneously with the energizing of motor 84, current also flowsthrough the jumper 101, the number 5 terminal of block 80, a line 102,solenoid 23, a line 103, the number 9 terminal of block 80, a line 104,contact 92, line 81 to L Furthermore, current also flows through a umper105, the number 6 terminal of block 80, a line 106, solenoid 65, a line107, the number 10 terminal of block 80, a jumper 108, line 104, contact92, line 81 to L Accordingly, solenoids 23 and 65 are energized, causingthe levers 19 (FIG. 2) to be actuated to cause the liquid within cups 16to flow through lines 17 to the outlet 18, and the opening of drip cap57 as previously described, thereby delivering the two liquids to cup20.

There is another cam driven by motor 84, and it has a lobe 109. The lobe109 may be adjustably preset relative to cam 83 as described incopending application Serial No. 699,963, filed December 12, 1957, inthe name of John N. Storms, now Patent No. 3,031,102.

This provides a means for varying the time it will take lobe 109 to opencontact 96. It is necessary that the time it takes lobe 109 to opencontact 96 corresponds to a period that will ensure ample time forcomplete emptying of the measuring cups. When lobe 109 opens contact 96,the holding circuit for coil 88 is broken, causing contacts 92, 93 and94 to open, and the opening of contact 96 imparts to motor 84 a torquein excess of its limit, causing it to reversely rotate. Opening contact92 de-energizes solenoids 23 and 65, thereby causing the spring means 23and 64 to raise their cores 22 and 64, respectively. Raising of core 22causes lever 19 to close off communication between each one of thebottles 14 and its respective measuring p.

Raising of core 64 actuates its corresponding lever 19 in the same waythat core 22 actuated its lever 19. Core 64 also actuates the linkage(FIG. 5) to close the drip cap 57 as previously described.

Motor 84 will be stopped by switch 96 and it will rotatecounterclockwise until cam 83 moves contact 82 to its solid lineposition. As is known, synchronous motors of the type involved willoperate, after being stopped, in the reverse direction upon receivingthe next opposite pulse of alternating current. Accordingly, motor 84 isde-energized, causing it to stop and the circuit to be conditioned foranother dispensing operation, with a single mixed drink having beendispensed into container 20.

Pushing button 41, the switch of which is self-locking, will cause theapparatus to repeat its cycle until the screw 52 (FIG. 3) opens switch46. This will effect a single repetition of the cycle of operation ofmotor 84 so that two mixed drinks will be dispensed. Pushing button 42will, in the same way, effect the dispensing of three drinks. As waspreviously described, the pushing of any of the buttons 40, 41 or 42causes the pivoting of plate 54 to eifect the resetting of the pawl andratchet mechanism 37, 29 and 39. 7

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 12, inclusive, a hood 1'12 may be mounted on apivot axis 113 formed in two brackets 114 extending outwardly from theoutside of standard 11. Brackets 115 may be fixed to the inner sidewalls of the hood 112 and may include angular elements 116 supportingheaded fasteners 117, the heads of which are adapted to extend throughholes 118 within the forward Wall of the standard 11.

Referring to FIG. 10, a slide bar 119 extending beyond each side of thestandard 11 may be guided for reciprocative movement by bearings 120.The bar 119 may include key slots 121, the large hole of which, whenaligned with the holes 118, permits the passage therethrough of theheads of fasteners 117, and the width of the slots of key slots 121 issuch as to receive the shanks of fasteners 117. From the foregoing it isevident that with the parts in the condition shown in FIG. 10, the bar119 locks the hood 112 in its closed position, and that movement of bar119 to the right will permit pivoting hood 112 about its pivot axis 113.

In order to prevent unauthorized opening of hood 112, there is provideda vertically slidable bar 122 that is guided by a bearing within abracket 123 on the inside of standard 11. Bar 122 may include a rightangular flange 124 atits top, adapted to register with a slot 125 (FIG.12) when the bar 119 is in its leftward position as shown in FIG. 10.The lower end of bar 122 may include a flange 126 (FIG. 9) adapted tocooperate with a cam 127 fixed to a shaft 128 that is rigidly fixed tothe barrel 129 of lock 78. Spring means 130 and 131 may extend frombracket 123 to resiliently urge bar 122 upwardly and bar 119 leftwardly,so that upon turning a key in look 78, flange 124 will be automaticallyreleased from slot 125 but the application of force is required to movebar 119 rightwardly to unlock hood 112.

The cam 127 may include diametrically disposed notches 132 and 133adapted to cooperate with a detent 134 formed in flange 126 to provide aclick stop for the two positions of cam 127.

Although the various features of the dispensing apparatus have beenshown and described in detail to fully disclose one embodiment of theinvention, it will be evident that changes may be made in such detailsand certain features may be used without others Without departing fromthe principles of the invention.

Operation In order to cause the cocktail dispenser to deliver one drink,button 40 is pushed inwardly causing plate 54 to rotate and to forcespring legs 29 and 39 from engagement with the teeth 37 of shaft 32.Spring 35 connected to the shaft then raises the shaft to its uppermostposition. This action returns the shaft to its starting positionregardless of its previous condition. The pressing of button 40 alsocauses the closing of the electrical circuits to energize solenoids 23and 65 as well as timing motor 84.

The energizing of solenoid 23 causes the downward motion' of shaft 32 toa predetermined position where it is held by spring 39 engaged withteeth 37. Solenoid 23 aiso operates lever 19 which releases the contentsof the measuring cup of one of the bottles into dispensing nozzle 18.The energizing of solenoid 65 actuates lever 19 associated with it torelease the measuring cup of the other bottle into the dispensingnozzle, Solenoid 65 also actuates mechanical linkage to swing drip cap5'7 from its closure position with respect to dispensing nozzle 18. Thisenables the contents of the two measuring cups to pass from the openingof the dispensing nozzle into the receptacle disposed beneath.

The movement of timing motor 84 continues for a sufficient period toenable the contents of the measuring cup to be dispensed. After thisperiod, cam 199 operated by the timing motor terminates the actuation ofsolenoids 23 and 65 and at the same time the timing motor reverses sothat it returns to its starting position. As solenoid 65 is deenergized,dashpot 76 connected to the linkage of drip cap 57, retards its closingmotion so that all of the liquid may be dispensed without contacting theclosing drip cap.

If it is desired to dispense two instead of one drink from the cocktaildispenser, switch 41 is pressed inwardly. At this point the operation ofthe dispenser is the same as for the case when buttton 46 was pressedwith the exception that button 41 is provided with a self-locking deviceso that the switch operated by the button 41 remains closed even afterthe button is released. Following the actuation of button 41, thedispenser will operate through the first cycle and dispense a singledrink, however, at the end of the cycle, the dispenser will not shutdown since self-locking button 41 causes the electrical circuit toremain energized even after the button is released. Consequently, uponthe completion of the first cycle a second cycle will be initiated.

During the second cycle, the operation of the dispenser is substantiallythe same as that of the previous one. However, since plate 54 was notactuated at the beginning of the second cycle, shaft 32 does not returnto its normal starting postion but instead is actutaed downwardly bysolenoid 23 to an intermediate position where dog 52 engages leaf spring51 of the self-locking switch and causes its release. The dispenser thencompletes the second cycle.

If three drinks are to be dispensed, button 42 is operated and thedispenser then will go through three cycles of operation in a mannersimilar to those following the operation of button 41.

What is claimed is:

1. In a liquid dispensing apparatus having a liquid container with avalve controlled outlet gravitationally emptying liquid directly into adispensing cup for delivery,

upon command, from the exit of said cup into a liquid receiver andhaving an electrical circuit controlling and timing the operation of amechanism for dispensing a predetermined unit of liquid upon a manualsignal, the invention comprising a cover for at least a portion of saidcontainer pivotally attached to said apparatus and having a latchnormally holding it in the operative position to cover at least aportion of said container, and a key operated lock having anon-operative position at which said electrical circuit is open toprevent unauthorized use of the apparatus and whichsimultaneously lockssaid cover latch to prevent access to said liquid containers.

2. In a liquid dispensing apparatus having a liquid container with avalve controlled outlet gravitationally emptying liquid directly into adispensing cup for delivery, upon command, from the exit of said cupinto a liquid receiver and having an electrical circuit controlling andtiming the operation of a mechanism for dispensing a predetermined unitof liquid upon a manual signal, the invention comprising a mechanicallyoperated dispensing cup drip cover pivotally mounted and having aresilient means urging said cover to close and cover said cup exit andcover operating means actuated by said mechanism to swing away from saidcup exit when the dispensing of liquid is commanded and return to itsclosed position thereafter.

3. In a liquid dispensing apparatus having a liquid container with avalve controlled outlet gravitationally emptying liquid directly into adispensing cup for delivery, upon command, from the exit of said cupinto a liquid receiver and having an electrical circuit controlling andtiming the operation of a mechanism for dispensing a predetermined unitof liquid upon a manual signal, the invention comprising a mechanicallyoperated dispensing cup drip cover pivotally mounted and having aresilient means urging said cover to close and cover said cup exit andcover operating means actuated by said mechanism to swing the cover awayfrom said cup exit and when the dispensing of liquid is commanded returnto its closed position thereafter, said drip cover operating meanshaving a motion retarding means attached thereto slowing the rate atwhich said resilient means returns the cover to its closed position toprevent liquid splash and drip.

4. In a liquid dispensing apparatus having a liquid container with avalve controlled outlet gravitationally emptying liquid directly into adispensing cup for delivery, upon command, from the exit of said cupinto a liquid receiver and having an electrical circuit controlling andtiming the operation of a mechanism for dispensing a predetermined unitof liquid upon a manual signal, the invention comprising a group ofmanually operated signal operators with each operator arranged to signalsaid mechanism for the sequential dispensing of a ditferent number ofliquid units, and means within said circuit and mechanism to cause saidmechanism to sequentially and separately dispense the number of unitsmanually ordered by the operation of the selected one of said operators.

5. In a liquid dispensing apparatus having a liquid container with avalve controlled outlet gravitationally emptying liquid directly into adispensing cup for delivery upon command, from the exit of said cup intoa liquid receiver and having an electrical circuit controlling andtiming the operating of a mechanism for dispensing a predetermined unitof liquid upon a manual signal, the invention comprising a group ofmanually operated signal operators with each operator arranged to signalsaid mechanism for the sequential dispensing of a diiferent number ofliquid units, and means within said circuit and 8 mechanism to causesaid mechanism to sequentially dispense the number of units manuallyordered by the operation of the selected one of said operators and a keyoperated lock having a nonoperative position at which said electricalcircuit is open to prevent unauthorized use of the apparatus.

6. In a liquid dispensing apparatus having a liquid container with avalve controlled outlet gravitationally emptying liquid directly into adispensing cup for delivery, upon command, from the exit of said cupinto a liquid receiver and having an electrical circuit controlling andtiming the operation of a mechanism for dispensing a predetermined unitof liquid upon a manual signal, the invention comprising a group ofmanually operated signal operators with each operator arranged to signalsaid mechanism for the sequential dispensing of a different number ofliquid units, and means within said circuit and mechanism to cause saidmechanism to sequentially dispense the number of units manually orderedby the operation of the selected one of said operators, a cover for atleast a portion of said container pivotally attached to said apparatusand having a latch normally holding it in the operative position tocover at least a portion of said container, and a key operated lockhaving a non-operative position at which said electrical circuit is opento prevent unauthorized use of the apparatus and which simultaneouslylocks said cover latch to prevent access to said liquid containers.

7. In a liquid dispensing apparatus having a liquid container with avalve controlled outlet gravitationally emptying liquid directly into adispensing cup for delivery, upon command, from the exit of said cupinto a liquid receiver and having an electrical circuit controlling andtiming the operation of a mechanism for dispensing a predetermined unitof liquid upon a manual signal the invention comprising a group ofmanually operated signal operators with each operator arranged to signalsaid mechanism for the sequential dispensing of a different number ofliquid units, and means Within said circuit and mechanism to cause saidmechanism to sequentially dispense the number of units manually orderedby the operation of the selected one of said operators, a cover for atleast a portion of said container pivotally attached to said apparatusand having a latch normally holding it in the operative position tocover at least a portion of said container, a key operated lock having anon-operative position at which said electrical circuit is open toprevent unauthorized use of the apparatus and which simultaneously lockssaid cover latch to prevent access to said liquid containers and amechanically operated dispensing cup drip cover pivotally arranged toclose and cover said cup exit and swing away therefrom when thedispensing of liquid is commanded and return to its closed positionthereafter, said drip cover having a motion retarding means attachedthereto slowing the rate at which the cover returns to its closedposition to prevent liquid splash and drip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,047,339 Thomas July 14, 1936 2,064,995 Van Arsdel Dec. 22, 19362,550,942 Spangler May 1, 1951 2,778,387 Diehl Jan. 22, 1957 2,845,964Harland Aug. 5, 1958 3,031,102 Storms Apr. 24, 1962 3,074,445, RosenJan. 22, 1963

1. IN A LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS HAVING A LIQUID CONTAINER WITH A VALVE CONTROLLED OUTLET GRAVITATIONALLY EMPTYING LIQUID DIRECTLY INTO A DISPENSING CUP FOR DELIVERY, UPON COMMAND, FROM THE EXIT OF SAID CUP INTO A LIQUID RECEIVER AND HAVING AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTROLLING AND TIMING THE OPERATION OF A MECHANISM FOR DISPENSING A PREDETERMINED UNIT OF LIQUID UPON A MANUAL SIGNAL, THE INVENTION COMPRISING A COVER FOR AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID CONTAINER PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO SAID APPARATUS AND HAVING A LATCH NORMALLY HOLDING IT IN THE OPERATIVE POSITION TO COVER AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID CONTAINER, AND A KEY OPERATED LOCK HAVING A NON-OPERATIVE POSITION AT WHICH SAID ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT IS OPEN TO PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE APPARATUS AND WHICH SIMULTANEOUSLY LOCKS SAID COVER LATCH TO PREVENT ACCESS TO SAID LIQUID CONTAINERS. 